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Seniors & Families

Scam protection for older adults and the families who care for them

By CyberIdentityTheft.com Editorial TeamLast reviewed September 3, 202612-minute read

Scammers specifically target older adults with sophisticated, high-pressure tactics. This guide explains the most common scams in plain language — and what you can do about them.

Why older adults are targeted

Older adults are disproportionately targeted by scammers for several reasons: they are more likely to have retirement savings, own their homes, and have good credit. They may also be more trusting of authority figures, less familiar with digital fraud tactics, and more likely to be home to answer calls.

According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, adults over 60 reported losing more than $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023 — more than any other age group. The real number is likely higher, since many victims do not report out of embarrassment or because they do not realize they have been scammed.

The good news: awareness is the most effective protection. Knowing how these scams work makes them much easier to recognize and refuse.

Common Scams

Scams that most commonly target older adults

The grandparent scam

Very Common

A caller claims to be a grandchild (or a lawyer or police officer calling on their behalf) who is in trouble — arrested, in a car accident, or stranded abroad — and urgently needs money wired or sent via gift cards. The caller begs the grandparent not to tell other family members.

Warning sign

Any caller who asks you to keep the call secret from family is running a scam.

What to do

Hang up and call your grandchild directly on a number you already have. Never send money or gift cards to someone who called you.

Government impersonation (IRS, Social Security, Medicare)

Very Common

Callers claim to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, or Medicare and say your benefits will be cut off, you owe back taxes, or your Social Security number has been suspended. They demand immediate payment by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency.

Warning sign

The IRS, SSA, and Medicare never call to demand immediate payment or threaten arrest. They contact you by mail first.

What to do

Hang up. If you are worried about a real issue, call the agency directly using the number on their official website (.gov).

Tech support scams

Very Common

A pop-up message or phone call claims your computer has a virus and instructs you to call a number or allow remote access. The scammer then 'fixes' a fake problem and charges hundreds of dollars, or uses the remote access to steal banking information.

Warning sign

Legitimate companies like Microsoft and Apple do not call you unsolicited or send alarming pop-ups with phone numbers.

What to do

Close the pop-up (or restart your computer). Never give anyone remote access to your computer unless you initiated the call to a company you trust.

Romance scams

High

Scammers create fake profiles on dating sites or social media and build a relationship over weeks or months. Once trust is established, they invent a crisis — a medical emergency, a business deal gone wrong — and ask for money. They never meet in person and always have an excuse.

Warning sign

Someone you have never met in person who asks for money, gift cards, or wire transfers is almost certainly a scammer.

What to do

Never send money to someone you have not met in person. Talk to a trusted family member or friend before sending any money to an online contact.

Lottery and prize scams

Common

You receive a letter, email, or call saying you have won a lottery or sweepstakes. To claim your prize, you must first pay taxes, fees, or customs charges. The prize does not exist.

Warning sign

You cannot win a lottery you did not enter. Legitimate prizes never require upfront payment.

What to do

Ignore and discard the notice. Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Medicare and health insurance fraud

Common

Callers offer free medical equipment, tests, or services in exchange for your Medicare number. They then bill Medicare for services never provided. This is fraud — and it can affect your future coverage.

Warning sign

Never give your Medicare number to anyone who contacts you first, even if they offer something free.

What to do

Guard your Medicare card like a credit card. Review your Medicare Summary Notice for charges you do not recognize. Report fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE.

AI voice cloning ('family emergency') scams

Emerging

Using artificial intelligence, scammers can clone a family member's voice from social media clips and call you pretending to be that person in distress. The voice sounds real. This is a newer, more convincing version of the grandparent scam.

Warning sign

Even if the voice sounds exactly like your grandchild or child, verify by calling them back on a number you already have.

What to do

Establish a family code word that only real family members would know. If someone calls in distress, ask for the code word before doing anything else.

Universal red flags — any of these means stop

  • Someone asks you to pay with gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
  • You are told to keep the call or transaction secret from family
  • There is extreme urgency — 'you must act now or lose everything'
  • Someone you have never met in person asks for money
  • A caller claims to be from a government agency and demands immediate payment
  • You are asked to allow remote access to your computer
  • You 'won' something you never entered
  • The caller knows personal details about you (scammers buy data)

For Families

How families can help

Protecting an older loved one from scams is a conversation, not a lecture. The goal is to make them feel supported — not embarrassed or less capable.

Talk openly about scams

Share examples of scams you have heard about. Framing it as 'I read about this and wanted to warn you' is less threatening than 'you need to be more careful.'

Establish a family code word

Agree on a word that only family members know. If someone calls claiming to be a family member in trouble, ask for the code word before taking any action.

Set up call screening

Many phones and carriers offer free call-blocking and screening features. Help your loved one set these up to reduce unsolicited calls.

Be the second opinion

Ask your loved one to call you before sending any money, gift cards, or personal information to anyone who contacted them first — no matter how urgent it seems.

Remove shame from the conversation

Scammers are professionals. Anyone can be deceived. If a loved one has been scammed, respond with support, not blame. Shame prevents reporting and recovery.

Help them report

Many older adults do not know how to report fraud or feel it is not worth the effort. Offer to help them file a report with the FTC or local authorities.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to protect an older adult from scams?

Keep the conversation open and practical. Share current examples, agree on a family code word, set up call screening, and make it easy to ask a trusted person for a second opinion before sending money or personal information.

What should an older adult do after receiving a suspicious call?

Hang up without sharing information. Verify the issue by calling the person or organization back using a phone number you already know or find on its official website.

Where can families report elder fraud?

Families can report suspected fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and internet-based fraud to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. The Department of Justice also operates an Elder Fraud Hotline.

Reporting

Where to report scams

Reporting matters — it helps authorities track patterns and warn others. You do not need to have lost money to file a report.

Sources & References

CyberIdentityTheft.com is an independent consumer education resource and is not affiliated with any of the organizations listed above.

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